Living a miracle

I can't believe it's been over a month since my last blog.  I know that I have been pretty visible on Facebook with my videos and posts, but felt it was time for an actual update. Let me be clear - chemo SUCKS.  I thought that I would be back to normal by now, and just getting my strength up for surgery in February.  Let's just say it is still kicking my ass.  I am usually REALLY active.  I am not one to sit still for very long, and usually work out at least 3-4 times a week - weights, pilates, spin, cardio etc.  Now, I am usually bagged by about 6 pm, and can barely get through a 30 min ab workout.  This was not what I expected.   I also need to remind myself to take a break, otherwise I feel like shit.  If I do too much I get terrible headaches at night and it takes me a couple of days to feel relatively 'normal' again. I am also dealing with the crazy hormones that go along with breast cancer and its treatments.  I am not on Hormo...

I was supposed to have my last chemo today.  However, there has been a delay.  As mentioned in my last blog, I wasn't feeling great last week.  I went to the doctor on Monday, and it seems that, while I didn't have the infection she thought, it seems that heartburn was causing acid sores in my esophagus!  YAY!  Fun!  Anyways, that is the cause of the throat issues and the medication I was on was causing the stomach issues.  But, as well, my oncologist wants to wait a week to let things settle down and heal.  I am disappointed that I won't be finished today,  but I went into this expecting that there will be a complication or delay.  I wasn't being pessimistic, just realistic.  I figured that if there was an issue, at least I had figured there would be!  And if there wasn't, than bonus! However, by delaying, I get to have another good week before things get bad again for the last time!  I can watch Zev play baseball, cele...

Its Labour Day. This is the worst day of the year - no kid is happy, parents are stressed because the easy going days of summer are ending, and teachers everywhere are scrambling to get ready.  Does anyone sleep well tonight?  The first day of school is exciting, but Labour Day sucks.  It just does.  Its a school night! It's 6:44 am as a I write this.  WTF am I up? Good question.  One of the many chemicals in my body makes sleeping weird.  The first week of chemo makes me sleep with the craziest dreams - Smurfet and the cast of Fauda were at a party at my house; and the second week is hard to sleep.  The first week I can't wake up, and the second I am up at 6:30 every day!  But both weeks I have to force myself to stay up until at least 10.  Nurses orders! I am not in a good mood these days.  I am bored out of my mind and totally cranky.  I am practically housebound as I am trying to avoid crowds and potential germs. ...

So, one down, three to go! Chemo sucks - no way around it.  But, I know it can always be worse.  The actual process is long and (besides the actual pain of the IV) metaphorically painful.  The first session in LONG - there is a lot of waiting around and then A LOT of people talking to me - the nurses, the pharmacists, and the social worker.  I haven idea what most of them said to me - how could I take in all of that information during such a stressful time???  I am also using whats called a cold cap, in the hopes of saving my hair.  That doubles the time I am in the chair - 45 mins before and 2 hours after - all with a cap of ice on my head (http://www.coldcomfortcanada.ca).  Lets hope it works!  We will know next week. I felt the effects of the chemo almost immediately, as well as the heavy duty anti-nauseau meds.  I was, and continue to be EXHAUSTED.  Luckily, no nausea so far, but some other unexpected (by me, not the doctors) side ...

Hello all,  I know its been a few weeks.  I think every cancer patient should get 3 weeks in Europe to recoup.  It did me wonders.  We cruised the Mediterranean with the kids and Kerry's family to celebrate my in-laws 50th.  It was perfect!  The kids had the time of their lives and it was truly the best family vacation we have ever had.  My in-laws were thrilled!  Then the kids flew home and Kerry and I continued on for 2 more glorious weeks!  I loved every second of the trip, and savoured every moment.  And BOY did we have moments!  Every day was a different adventure, and I absolutely LOVE travelling with my husband!  I think we fall deeper in love on each trip! But now back to reality.  The past two weeks have been filled with doctors and tests.  We met with my oncologist, Ellen Warner, last week, and chemo was the plan.  She told me that she wanted me on a 6 month course,  but then called me back two...